基本 jīběn basic
basic; fundamental; main; elementary
How to remember 基本: 基 foundation + 本 source = basic.
Characters
How it is used
- As an adjective before a noun it means basic/fundamental: 基本情况 (jīběn qíngkuàng) the basic situation, 基本原则 (jīběn yuánzé) basic principle.
- As an adverb directly before a verb or adjective it means "basically, essentially": 基本没问题 (jīběn méi wèntí) basically no problem.
- Compare 基本上 jīběnshàng, which functions more as a whole-clause hedge ("on the whole...") rather than modifying a single word right next to it.
Example sentences
- 它是基本人权。 Tā shì jīběn rénquán.It's a basic human right.
- 你不懂基本逻辑吗？ Nǐ bù dǒng jīběn luójí ma?Do you not understand basic logic?